Archives for October 2016

With our favorite spooktacular holiday right around the corner, we’re anticipating creative costumes, creepy tricks, and tons of delicious treats. Here at our DFW wedding venue, we’ve actually seen a few Halloween weddings come and go! While some couples are able to embrace a spooky theme (and totally rock it), others might be more excited about a wintry wonderland Christmas wedding. Or how about a glamorous New Year’s Eve nuptial celebration? For some couples, holiday wedding dates make for a sophisticated themed affair; others, however, might not be so keen o the idea.

Would you be willing to dive into planning a holiday wedding? If you’re considering a holiday wedding date, be sure to check out our list of pros and cons:

Pros:

You have a theme in place already! Whether you’re tying the knot surrounded by Christmas evergreens or Thanksgiving pumpkins, there’s something to be said for a pre-decided theme. Having the overall concept decided frees up planning energy that you can now redirect to executing picture-perfect details.

Double the celebration. Why not bundle up all the joy of a holiday season and intertwine it with the happiness of your wedding day? Take advantage of a season where guests are already in good spirits—and build on the fun with an unforgettable wedding day.

You’ll weed out your guest-count. We count this as both a pro and a con; holiday weddings are an easy excuse for keeping your celebration intimate. Your closest friends and family will likely attend—after all, you’d be celebrating together anyway, plus they may have time off work for travel. But a holiday wedding gives you a perfect reason to keep things small; distant friends’ feelings won’t be hurt if they don’t receive an invite, since they’ll likely be busy with their own festivities.

Cons:

Vendor roundup could be tricky. While our DFW wedding venue and all the other industry vendors do our best to serve you, holiday dates may not always be available. Some vendors may even increase prices over holiday weekends. Give yourself plenty of time to inquire with your favorite vendors before booking a holiday date.

It’s tempting to go over-the-top. Couples who plan a holiday wedding must be cautious about going overboard. You’d hate for your elegant, sophisticated dream day to accidentally turn into something kitschy. Luckily this can be avoided with a stellar event designer and careful planning!

RSVPs will be lower than usual. As we mentioned above, the lower guest count can be a mixed blessing. You have a great reason to keep your wedding intimate, but you also might miss the presence of some loved ones who couldn’t get away during the busy holiday season. Sending Save the Dates early will help ensure all your loved ones can attend.

You’ll also want to consider your wedding date as your future anniversary date… Do you love the idea of a holiday made even more special by your anniversary? Or would you rather mark your calendar with an anniversary date just for two? We’ve seen couples who have embraced either idea—it’s all about what works for you.

So, what do you think? Yea or nay? We’re happy to host, either way! With twenty years of experience behind our DFW wedding venue, we’ve proudly collaborated with happy couples on all kinds of wedding dates. We’d love to help you plan your dream day—whether near the holidays, or not.

Wedding Venue Downtown Dallas | The Empire Room

Planning a gorgeous affair at the top wedding venue downtown Dallas has to offer? We can’t wait to see you here at The Empire Room! But first, you’ll need to give your guests all the info. Time to send out your invitations! Creating, assembling, and mailing is no easy feat… but it is so exciting to see your official wedding date in print. Luckily, we’ve got an invitation Q&A guideline for you right here. Check out these Q&As to keep your invites on track:

When do I send invitations? Traditionally, wedding invitations should be sent 6–8 weeks prior to the big day. Aim for 8 weeks if your wedding is a destination or out-of-town trip for most guests; this will give plenty of time for them to arrange accommodations. If you’re staying local to host your wedding at the top wedding venue downtown Dallas has to offer, you have more leeway to send invitations out closer to the 6-week mark. Save the Dates are typically sent about 6–8 months before the wedding.

What is included in an invitation suite? A full invitation suite can have a lot of moving parts. As a modern couple, it’s up to you to decide which elements you want to include. Have fun with it! Maybe you send out a Save the Date magnet, or mix up the wording on your reply card for a more casual and personalized feel. Whichever elements you choose, make them unique to you!

Save the Date: a card or postcard informing guests of your chosen wedding date. This serves to let guests mark their calendars in advance. You should include your names, wedding date, and general location (no need to get specific with a venue just yet; the city or general area is plenty). The Save the Date does not have to match the rest of your wedding invitation suite. Couples often use an engagement photo for this element.

Main invitation and envelope: the main invitation holds all the big information: your names, ceremony time and location, and any other must-have details. The personalization possibilities are endless; these days, you can stray as far as you want from traditional formal invites. Make it fun and personalized with custom designs and clever wording! The main outer envelope will hold all these other elements together, and is typically addressed formally (i.e., Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Johnson).

Envelope liner: an optional suite element, the liner is a printed slip of paper tucked into the main envelope for a pop of color when your guest opens the envelope flap. You might consider a corresponding pattern, elegant monogram, or custom venue sketch for this piece.

Reply card and envelope: you’ll definitely want to include a reply card in your suite; this is how guests will let you know whether or not they can attend! Ask guests to mark a box with their attendance. You can use formal wording (accepts with pleasure or declines with regrets), or something more fun (heck yeah! wouldn’t miss it for the world or will be partying in spirit). You should pre-stamp the reply envelopes… we know it sounds like a hassle, but it will definitely help you in the long run. Believe it or not, that extra step can make or break a guest’s willingness to rsvp!

Details card: a modern addition to the invitation suite, a details card lists all the “extras” you might not want to include on the main invitation. They are not mandatory, but can be helpful. Ceremony sketches and custom-drawn maps are popular elements of a details card, but you can include anything you like.

Belly band: another optional element, belly bands are what holds the whole suite together inside the envelope. They are often a thin strip of paper which wraps around the fully assembled invitation suite. Popular alternatives include ribbons sealed with wax or twine tied in a bow around the suite.

Should I list my registry on my invitation? Traditional etiquette says no way! While it might sound convenient, listing your registry directly on the invitation can be considered impolite. Instead, just include your wedding website on a details card, or discreetly listed on the back of the main invite. Guests can navigate to your registry from there.

With these guidelines in mind, you’re ready to go. Bringing together all the details for a perfect invitation suite can be a bit time-consuming… but so worth it. The paper goods from your wedding day are a detail you will treasure from years to come. Let them make a statement about your personality, and have some fun with it. Guests will love this first impression of your unforgettable occasion!

Downtown Dallas Venue | The Empire Room

Recently engaged? Congratulations! Nothing is more exciting than agreeing to tie the knot with the love of your life. We know your to-do list is growing a mile a minute, but there’s one thing you’ll want to check off sooner rather than later… engagement photos! Engagement photos become a treasured keepsake from a special season of life, and they may come in handy for your save-the-dates. Plus, they’re fun!

Before you set a date with your photographer, be sure to check out our top eight tips. These will ensure a flawless engagement session, beautiful images, and plenty of laughter to be had by all.

Define your style: before you book a photographer, think about your personal style. Are you looking for dramatic editorial photos? Timeless keepsakes to hang in your newlywed home? With so many options out there, you’ll definitely want to take a minute to define your personality. Then, book a photographer whose past portfolio and editing style aligns with your own. Which aesthetic best speaks to your love story?

Location: the options are endless… and your photographer will be able to assist you in selecting a dream location. We encourage couples to consider a photo shoot at their future wedding venue. It will allow you and your photographer to get familiar with the downtown Dallas venue, and it will heighten your anticipation for the big day in this very location.

Bring layers! instead of wasting shoot time on multiple wardrobe changes, wear layered clothing. Don a simple, classic dress… then mix it up with a scarf in some photos, statement jewelry in others, and a jacket or elegant wrap in a few more. You’ll achieve variety in your gallery without sacrificing personal style or valuable shoot time!

Props can help: are you one of those people who feels awkward about where to put your hands? Most of us are! Props can help get the ball rolling as you get comfortable in front of the camera. You might want to bring a small custom sign with a sweet phrase or your wedding date calligraphed on it. One of our favorite props is a cozy blanket; kick up the romance a notch by snuggling close to your sweetheart.

Pack these items: grab a tote bag and stuff it with these photo shoot essentials to ensure a seamless session: water bottles, a granola bar (just in case someone gets hangry!), touch-up makeup, and extra bobby pins.

Trust your photographer: don’t over-Pinterest it. It’s okay to have a few shots in mind… but let your photographer run the show. He/she is a professional, who you hired for a reason. Let them direct the posing, and be open to spontaneity. Instead of micro-managing your shoot, focus on enjoying this sweet memory with your loved one.

Don’t forget a manicure: don’t let your nails go forgotten before shoot day. You’d hate to get those gorgeous ring shots back, only to see chipped fingernails. Splurge for the manicure a day or two before the shoot.

Have fun! Okay, we know it sounds cliché… but the BEST way to ensure stunning photos is to have fun! When you’re comfortable, relaxed, and confident, the camera will show it. Think of your session as a memory in the making with your soon-to-be husband or wife. Don’t be afraid to have a great time together!

Keep these eight tips in mind and you’ll be a pro! Most importantly, enjoy this opportunity to connect with your loved one. Wedding planning can be a chaotic experience at times; engagement photos are a great opportunity to slow down and savor some time with the person you’ll marry.

Our downtown Dallas venue is always open to hosting your engagement session. Just contact us to set a date. We hope you’ll tour our versatile space and envision your big day here at The Empire Room. Our team is happy to help!

Modern Venue DFW | Fall Florals

What’s not to love about fall’s moody color palettes and cozy details? We’re embracing fall trends in a big way this season; our autumn brides have wow-ed us with their creative seasonal ideas. What is one area where autumn is making a big impact? Florals!

From luscious blooms to on-trend greenery, floral arrangements are the perfect opportunity to inject a dose of personality and seasonal detail into your big day. Here are a few autumn floral details we absolutely adore:

Loose arrangements: organically arranged bouquets and centerpieces are likely to stay in style for awhile. Oversized bouquets stuffed with a gorgeous variety of blooms are making a big impact this season. Something about a loose floral design speaks to an autumn aesthetic… and is guaranteed to look picture-perfect in every photo!

Burgundy blooms: bring in those on-trend jewel tones with big burgundy blooms and wine-colored petals. From roses to dahlias, larger flowers are an ideal place to incorporate a modern color palette. Accent your maroon-toned blooms with a more neutral background. Ivory and cream buds will make your burgundy florals pop, while a darker purple and indigo scheme will heighten the drama of your palette. Don’t forget to load bouquets and centerpieces with plenty of lush greenery!

Organic textures: bring autumn to life in your florals with textural accents. Use twigs or even fall leaves to bring modern edge to your arrangements. Consider adding stems of berries for an unforgettable look that will wow your friends and family.

What kind of florals will you bring to the best modern venue DFW has to offer? We can’t wait to see your gorgeous centerpieces and one-of-a-kind bridal bouquet. Just get in touch to talk about the details. We’d be happy to put your date on the calendar and to host your special day!